Photoelectric system



Sept. 23, 1941. A. G. B. METCALF PHOTOELECTRIC SYSTEM Filed July 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l \v^ @NVQ W. 3 A/ 7 4 m XN@ mw W M /v w Sept. 23, 1941. A. G. B. METCALF PHOTOELECTRIC SYSTEM Filed July l5, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /Zverovn i?? by has 641295. l

Patented 19.41

PHOTOELECTIIC SYSTEM Arumd. n. um. man. unna-dm a Photoswitch Incorporated. Cambridge, Hals., a corporation of Massachusetts 'Application July 1s, ma, semi Na. sursis s claims.- (cl. 25o-41.5)

This invention relates to photoelectrically controlled devices employing a light sensitive element, which is part of a control circuit and-in the path of light rays, whereby intensity changes of the light impinging on the element affect its impedance and correspondingly condition the control circuit which then initiates a desired operation. Although it has been proposed for such purposes to concentrate light rays by optical means and to deviate a light beam by means of reectors, the usefulness and applicability of such arrangements is often restricted by the necessity of aligning light source and photoelectric cell, and of using inconvenient optical systems.

According to the present invention, light rays (herein referred to as beam) controlling the light sensitive element (herein referred to las cel1) of a photoelectric circuit are guided through at least part cf their path from the light source (herein referred to as source) to the cell in a light confining element (herein referred to as light conductor) which is correlated to the object which controls the effective light flux (herein referred to as object). Light conductors of this type are solid rods, bent to suitable shapes, of refractive material as quartz glass or plastic material of the type of polymerized methyl methacrylate and having polished surfaces. Light projected into one end surface of such a rod is reflected within the rod, and with very little loss of light flux is emitted at the other end surface, regardless of curvatures or changes of cross-section of the rod. The introduction of such a light conductor into photoelectric control systems considerably extends the usefulness of such devices and permits their application to purposes for which they could heretofore not be used.

It is the principal object of the invention to control light paths of photoelectric arrangements by confining effective beams in suitably arranged light conductors. In one of its aspects, the invention permits the use of photoelectric set-ups in situations where alignment of source, object and cell is impractical or impossible, or where the environment restricts the available space to such an extent that conventional photoelectric devices can be used only with diiliculty or not at all because they are too bulky so that the beam would not reach the object. In another aspect, the invention permits the gathering of light from a special source or from the general illumination, and the conducting of the light flux thus gathered towards a ux controlling object and a ilux intensity detecting cell. In this application, the light conductor may to advantage replace or complement optical lens systems. In a further aspect, systems according to the invention permit the conducting of a selected light component through an area of general local "illumination, whereby only the selected component will influence the cell to which it can be-conducted through curved paths and restricted spaces. and whereby undesirable light can bev excluded.

Still further. it is an important feature of the invention to permit the use of closely adjacent beamsswithout danger of mutual interference. andtopermiteasyandconvenientshiftingof beams by moving the beam confining conductor. Still another object of the invention is the division of light flux into component beams which are conducted to or from, or both, a light iiux varying object, from a source, or towards a cell, respectively. Also, the available light nux may be rendered more effective by shaping the lllht receiving or emitting end surfaces of the conductor to conform to characteristics 'of light l source, ilux varying object, or cell.

These and other objects, aspects and features of the invention will be apparent from the fol` lowing detailed explanation of several embodiments of the invention illustrating its genus by way of example, with reference to drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a meter device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a conveyor arrangement embodying the invention, in vertical section and with part of a lamp and relay housing broken away;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatlcal' vertical section through a tank incorporating a gauge according to the invention;

F18'. 5 is an elevation of a control device embodying the invention;

Fig. 6 is a top view of a counter embodying the invention:

Fig. 7 is a section on line I-'I of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the light conductor of Fig. '1;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic top view of textile apparatus incorporating the invention;,and "'1 1o is a section on une lla-'lauf Fig. s.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a controlling meter incorporating the principles of the invention will first be described.

In a suitable housing I, for example mounted on a wall or switchboard 2, is arranged the conventional movement 2 of a meter (as for example a bolt or amperemeter, a pressure gauge, or any other measuring device) which rotates on pivot 4 carrying an indicator 5 playing on scale 8. Scale plate 1 carries behind an arcuate slot a parallax mirror Il in front of which moves a target or shield I2 fastened to pointer I. Housing I has an extension Il with cover i6 amsupporting the maximum-minimum device incorporating the present invention.

Mounted on base plate 2| of extension is are two supports 22, 23 with'covers 24, 25 and bushings 26, 21 for example of rubber, which frictionally engage light conductors 3| and 32. These conductors are for example polished quartz rods rotating on axis 33 which also defines the center of arcuate mirror Il; the upper ends of rods 3|, 32 are bent in the same direction to face mirror whereas the lower ends are bent in opposite directions to face photocells 4|, 42 mounted on side walls 43, 44 of housing extension 2|. The electric connections 46, 41 and 46, 46, respectively, of the photocells maybe brought out through insulator 56 and led to suitable amplifyin and current responsive devices indicated at 46, for example constructed according to Patent No.

at one of these values, shielding the corresponding end surface from the light normally reflected thereinto by mirror the respective photoelectric circuit will be abnormally conditioned, initiating any function which is desired to be performed upon the instrument indicating that value. In order to reset the instrument for a diiferent maximum-minimum range, it is only necessary to turn the two rods in their bushings 26, 21, where they will frictionally remain in any desired position. A single light conductor may be used if only one scale value is critical.

It will be evident that the introduction of light conductors, according to the invention, involves the use of unaligned source (lamp 6|), object (target I2) and cell (4|, 42), compact arrangement, the gathering of light from a common source and its conduction to different cells, the conducting of a variable light flux through a ileld of general illumination, the segregation of closely adjacent controlling light beams, and the moving of a beam without using reectors or similar delicate elements, simply by rotating a light conductor. If it is desired to gather a maximum of light flux, the upper surface ends of the rods may be shaped to form a square conforming to the configuration of mirror |I, as indicated at 66 in dotted lines.

Another embodiment oi.' the invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. In this iigure, a conveyor frame 1|, for example formed by welding from side plates 12, 13 and base plate 14, deflnes two chutes or grooves 16, 11, in which are moved, for example by gravity, articles to be supervised, as balls 18. The side wall sheets 16 of the chutes have openings receiving the light emitting and receiving, respectively, upper end surfaces of a pair of light conductors 8l, 62, mounted within the conveyor frame at 86, 61, and leading from, and towards sources constituted by lamps 9|, and cells 92, respectively. Lamps and photocells are mounted in separate compartments of boxes 63, fastened within the conveyor frame and having suitable openings for the conductors. A connection cord supplying the sources and containing the necessary leads of the photoelectric circuit controlled by cells 92 is indicated at 95.

It will be evident that this arrangement does not in any way obstruct the chutes and permits convenient mounting of the photoelectric apparatus which could otherwise not be arranged within the available confined space.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 especially illustrates the use of a 'system according to the invention for correlating several controlling objects with a single source or cell, already mentioned above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

A tank |6| whose contents |62 is to be supervised, supports a housing |63 with holder |64 fixating relatively to the tank two series |66, |66, respectively, of light conductors extending into the tank to different depths, the lower end surfaces oi' pairs of conductors )from respective groups forming detecting gaps 261 to 2|6, respectively. The upper end surfaces of the rods of group |65 are facing cell which is the controlling element of a photoelectric circuit, for example according to the above mentioned patent, and the upper end surfaces of the rods of group |66 are facing light source ||6.

The photocell connection may lead through conduit ||2 to a gauge box ||5v containing the amplification circuit controlled by cell and having a gauge ||6 which, for example, may be an amperemeter supplied from the photoelectric circuit and calibrated in terms of tank capacities corresponding to the levels of gaps 261 to 2|6. Current may be supplied to the photoelectric circuit and source ||6 through wires H6. So long as the tank level remains below gap 2|6, a maximum of light will be transmitted across the gaps; as the level rises, the gaps will be gradually bridged by the material in the tank, and the light flux reaching cell from source ||6 diminished; the current in thelphotoelectric circuit controlled by cell will correspondingly vary, the variations being indicated at ||6 which, if properly calibrated, will directly indicate the level of the tank contents. Needless to say, the number of gaps may be varied in accordance with the desired measuring accuracy.

The embodiments shown in Figs. 5 to 'I particularly illustrate the advantages of my invention in instances where concentration of the controlling light ilux in a small area is important. In Figure 5, |2| is a disk mounted on shaft |22 which rotates and may form part of any device whose speed is to be measured or controlled, for example, in order to close or open a circuit at given intervals by means of a frictionand inertia-less arrangement. 'Ihe periphery of the disk is differentiated by making one section |23, or several sections, differently reflecting as compared to the rest of the peripheral surface |24..

Two light rods |26, |21 are mounted adjacent to disk |2I and shaped to point two respective cally indicated in Fig. 5 which permits the concentration of light at a point at considerable distance from the light source, without the necessity of employing an accurately ground and distanced optical system. A lens |4| is arranged between light source |42 and face |43 of the light rod; the lens will gather considerable light ux and produce an image |42' of source |42, on face |43. The light rod |44 will then conduct almost the entire ux corresponding to image |42 towards its other end |46.

It will be evident that a lens system producing an image of the source at a considerable distance from the latter would have to be accurately mounted and centered, whereas a slight displacement of lens I4| will not considerably affect the set-up according to the invention which, further, is not influenced by environmental light and spatial conditions, since the light rods conduct their flux uninuenced by outside light and can be -bent to conform to the shape of the device incorporating it, for example, disk I 2|. By pointing the ends of the rods which form gap |35, the light can be concentrated upon a comparatively very small area so that mark |23 maybe minute and the control accuracy correspondingly high.

Figs. 6 and '7 show a table |5| which may be suitably mounted on a frame (not shown) and supports a divided conveyor belt |52, I 53 on pairs of rollers |54, |55 mounted at the' ends of the table. One pair of rollers may be driven, as indicated in Fig. 7. At one end of the table is mounted a conventional feeding device with hopper |56 and feeding roller |51 frictionally engaging fiat articles |58 (as checks or letters) descending in hopper |56, delivering them toward belts |52, |53, which transport them towards container |59.

A lamp 6| with shade |62 is arranged above the table which has, below the lamp, an opening |63 through which extends a iight conductor |65 ending flush with the upper table surface. The conductor leads into a housing |66 containing a photoelectric arrangement with cell |61 controlled by the changes in light flux passing from source |6| to conductor |65. It will be evident that this arrangement is not at all effected by the design of the table support or frame, since the :rod can be bent to lead to a cell mounted at any convenient point.

This embodiment yof the invention also illustrates more particularly one of the above-mentioned advantages of the invention, namely the utilization of a larger light flux as compared with a conventional system. Referring also to Fig. 8, the cathode of a flat cathode photocell, if used without light conductors, would receive a flux of the magnitude corresponding to angle a; rod |65 introduced into this arrangement gathers and delivers a flux corresponding to angle which flux, as can easily be seen, is several times larger than' that corresponding to angle a.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10 illustrates an application 'of the invention to devices having series of elements to be supervised and arranged in such a manner that photoelectric paratively large amount of light flux available for detecting purposes.

Each cell |9| controls a photoelectric relay cirf cuit similar as for example shown in Fig. 1, and

supervision with conventional equipment is very 1 diiiicult or impossible. In these figures, frame beam |1| is part of a device for handling filamentary material, as for example a creel or warper of the type extensively used in textile plants. By suitable means, as pins |12, threads |13 are guided past beam |1|. Groups |15 of supervising elements |15 are mounted on beam |1I by means of holders |15, |10 supported on brackets |11, |18 (Fis. 10). In 'order to make the threads more easily accessible, at least the upper groups may be mounted on hinges I Il so that they can be yturned bach to rest on stops |52; Each supervisory group consists of a number (here nve) of elements each having a light supplying and a. light receiving conductor |55, I", respectively, a light source |51 with hood III extending over all supplying elements, and individual photocell elements -III fastened to the lower ends of each individual receiving rod |55. The intermediate ends of both rods of each element are at |81 shaped to conform to the extended configuration of the threads, which makes a comthese circuits may for example operate means for stopping the thread handling device, and for individually indicating a defective thread changing the ux condition between supplying and receiving conductors. For this purpose there may for example be employed an indicator announcing the number of the defective thread.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Photoelectric control installation comprising a light source, a light responsive relay means including a photoelectric cell, means defining a point where an object controlling the intensity of light iiux through that point may be positioned, and a light conductor for leading light coming from said source through said point toward said cell and having near said point a light transmitting end surface, said end surface being shaped substantially to conform to the configuration of said object for the purpose of providing an increase of light ilux control by the object.

2. Device for supervising illamentary material comprising means for guiding a series of fila-` ments,- alight source, an electric relay circuit including a photoelectric cell for each lament, and a series of light conductors from said source' to individual filaments and a second series of light conductors from the filaments to respective cells.

3. Device for supervising illamentary material comprising means for guiding a series of filaments, a light source, an electric relay circuit Y including a photoelectric cell for each filament, and a series of light conductors from said source to individual filaments and a second series of light conductors from the filaments to respective cells, the emergent end faces of said first series and the receiving end faces of said second series being attened to cover a length of fila'- mentrand said conductors being aligned at' an oblique angle to said threads inforder to accommodate conductors and cells extending beyond the shortest distance betwen adjacent filaments.

4. Photoelectric control device comprisingV a light source, means deflningthe path of a light intensity varying object, a light responsive relay meansl including a photoelectric cell stationary relatively to said path defining means, optical means including a light-conducting rod for leading light from said source towards said cell. said rod having a light transmitting end surface adjacent said path, and means for changing the position of said surface along said path by moving said rod, thereby changing the effective position of said object.

' n 5. A control meter comprising a movement, a

light intensity varying object shifted by said movement in a predetermined path, electric relay means including a photoelectric cell stationary relatively to said movement, a light source illuminoting said object. a light conductor leading from seidpathtosaidcel1,andmeansforshiftingseid conductor relatively to said path, whereby said 'light varying object upon approaching said conductor at a selected point of seid path ai'fectsthe light flux therein and hence the conditioning o said cell and said relay means.

. f ARTHUR 0. B. mail'. 

